Withallhersmalltownsunshinycharm,itwasn’tlonguntilshehadRexgrovelingonhisknees,tryingtowinherbackafterhewokeupandrealizedhismistakes AsIwrotethatstory,Iaskedreadersweeklytovotefortheirfavoriteweddingitemsifmoneywerenoobject.Oh,thatwasfuntocreateChelseaandRex’swedding daywithyou (Clickheretoviewthevideoofeverythingreadersselectedforthisweddingday) Andnowhereweare justmomentsawayfromwhentheysay I Do XOXOZeeIrwin
Igaped up atRex, mygorgeous groom, who grinned and nodded to the check, his eyebrow archingtoward his fabulous headofdarkhair “AndwhateverMomdoesn’tcover,Iwill Youhavecarteblanche,Chelsea Anythingyouwant,it’syours forourweddingday.”
Iglanced around the afternoonchampagne tea at the PalmCourt restaurant inthe Plaza Hotel, where people dressed in fancyclothes enjoyed tea, tinysandwiches, and scones onfine china. The soaringstained-glass dome overhead, a signature historical architectural feature here, letinbrightlightfor sucha late Februaryday, makingthe emerald and diamonds inmy engagementringshinethatmuchmore
“Idon’thonestlyknowwhattosay.AndIcan’timaginetheweddingI’mthinkingaboutcostingmuch.Mymotherbakesthe bestpies, and we canfill a table withthematthe reception. And there’s a quaintgazebo inHollyCreekIalways imagined gettingmarriedat,butmaybewecouldfindonehere ”
The number struck me hard, and for a moment, I sat there dumbfounded, taking in Miriam’s exquisitely fashioned appearance for a mature woman. Then again, money probably made that easier for her. I’d yet to see her undone, with no makeup,dyedhairbrushedout,orevenwithapairofyogapantsonherthinhips.Wasthereeveratimeshejustletherselfgo?
“Well,”apolite,polished,all-knowinggrinspreadacrossherface “Yousee,there’saBuchanantraditiontouphold They have held all weddings at Fifth Avenue Church, as yours will be. And your reception will be here, at the Plaza’s Grand Ballroom I’vealreadysecuredtheroom”
“Of course, we’ll take care of all the accommodations for your family and guests to come to New York City for the wedding We’llputthemuphereatthePlazaHotel”Rexwasquicktoadd
Miriamleftourtable,andIwaitedtospeakuntil shewasoutofearshot,walkingtowardatall maninadarksuit,whoI assumed was Pierre ThenIturned to Rex “I’ve never beengivena blankcheckfor anything Itscares me It’s too muchto handle.”
“It will be, Sweetness, and trust me, you’re going to love it here at the Plaza Besides, despite all this pomp and circumstanceforMom’sbenefit,sayingIdoandbecominghusbandandwifeisallthatmatters,right?”Hebroughtmyhandto hislipsforakissandmyheartsqueezedoverhisuseofthewordwife
“You’reright.IjustthinkI’dbemorecomfortableifyou’dgivenmeabudget.Like, ‘Here’s ten thousand dollars. Make our day special ’”
“Don’tlooksoscared.Itwon’tbehardtospenditalloncethingsstartaddingup.You’llsee.”Hefinishedthelastbitesof sandwichandscone andstood “Let’s gomeetupwithMom Ican’twaittosee the ballroomwhere Igettodance the night awayatourreceptionwithmywifeinmyarms.”
A DELICIOUS DREAM ofmemakinglovewithChelseaonmyboathadmeinamorningdaze.Myarmsdrewtightaroundawarm body “Mm,”Imoaned,awakenedwhenaplumpasscurvedjustrightagainstmy Ohyeah
This wasn’ta dream. Iwas one luckyS. O. B. Because IgotwhatIwanted her. Takinga weekawayfromitall for a springbreakprovedexactlywhatweneededtoescapethecitybeforeweddingplanningandsummerheatedthingsup.
ToChelseaandhersister,smalltowngirlsfromupstateNewYork,theycalledthisbuildingonprivateBuchananislanda castle by the sea. Hardly. Wait until they saw the size of the Buchanan home in the South of France, and our home in the Hamptonsonparwiththat
WeescapedNew YorkCityfor ashortgetawayonthisprivateisland,bringingher sister,Maisy,andmybuddy,Brooks, alongfor springbreak Myentire goal for this trip comprised assuringChelsea thatwe’d getthroughthis weddingplanning together,nomatterwhat.
I knew the craziness that was in store for us over the next eight months until our Christmas nuptials, if my brother’s weddingwasanyindication Poorbastard Richardwasthefirstofustwoboyssettomarry,andMommadeeventheworst bridezillalooklikeanangel,becomingMomzillathroughtheplanningprocess,aswecametocallher.Butwhenhecalledoff the weddingatthe altar, after findingouthis bride-to-be was onlyafter his money, well, Hell had no furylike a Momzilla scornedandembarrassedinfrontofherhighsocietypeers.
AfterIaskedChelseatomarryme,andshethankfullyaccepted,IhadalittletalkwithMomaboutdialingeverythingbacka notchthis time around, easingup onthe weddingplanning. Despite her promises, and giventhe amountofmessages coming
“Pinkand turquoise ostrichfeathers intall glass vases she wants for the weddingcenterpieces. And lookatthese other pictures Pinkandturquoisebridesmaids’gowns?No Justno!”Chelseaexclaimed,hervoicehitchingupbythesecond “Youhaveathingagainstpinkandblue?”
“Now,let’stalkaboutthis,sweetness”Isetheronmyknee “IwarnedyouhowMiriamisoverthetop,butwhoknowsif Richardwillevermarryagain?Ourweddingmaybemymother’sonlyhopetoexperiencethistypeofgrandevent.Whereas your mother has twomore childrenlikelytomarry Doyouthinkwe canmake some exceptions andgoalongwithMiriam’s plans?”
Thatwas absolutely thewrongthingtosaytomybride-to-be,andIlearnedthatafter watchingher eyesdoublinginsize andherfaceturningred I’dyettoseeafuriousChelseauntilnow EvenwhenIproposedtoherthefirsttime,offeringonlya marriageofconvenience,shedidn’tlookthispissed,morelikeheartbrokenatthetime.Whichstabbedmeinthegutasmuchas this
Icamebetweenher andthesuitcaseinaflash,roundingmyarms andpinningher againstme.“Whoa,darling.Stopright there I’mnotsidingwithher I’mjustabigdumbmancaughtinthemiddlebetweentwowomenIlove AndIwantyouboth to behappy.”
“Well,weBuchanans are usedtogettingwhatwewant,”Ichuckledwithacockysmile.Butitwas way toosoontojoke aroundaboutthis.Chelseascoffedandwormedherwayoutofmyhold,andopenedthearmoiretopackherclothes.
Wow Isuddenlyrealizedwenevertalkedaboutwhat she wantedforthiswedding TheBuchanansjusttookover,handed herablankcheck,putherintouchwithoneofNewYork’sfinestweddingplanners,andIleftChelseatodealwithmymother. Icouldn’tfeelmoreshittynow
The onlythingIknew was I’d do anythingfor the love ofmylife. While Icouldn’tstop this weddingofthe centurymy motherwanted,IhadtofigureouthowtomakeChelseahappy,too. Imarchedtotheothersideofthebedandtookupmyphone Mythumbswentcrazy,tappingoutamessagetothegroupthat Mom,Chelsea,andAgneswouldread.
“Howaboutredandgreenfeathers?”IaskedChelsea,justincasetherecouldbeacompromisebetweenthetwowomen. She shook her head vehemently against my attempt to find a middle ground. “I think red roses would be nicer for our Christmasweddingcenterpieces,don’tyou,Rex?”
“See Fixed Now, come here” Ilifted Chelsea into myarms and laid her backdownonthe bed “I’msorrywe aren’t havingtheweddingatHollyCreek.ButI’lldoeverythingIcantomakeourweddinginNewYorkCityspecial.Ipromise.”
I SET ASIDE myplate ofcroissants and butter, and, tookup a cup ofcoffee inmyhands. As Ileaned backagainstthe chaise lounge onthe hut’s rooftop deck, takinginthe magnificent view of nothingbut the oceanonour last morningonBuchanan Island,onethingwasclear.WewerealongwayfromHollyCreek.
How I ended up with such a dreamy man was beyond me The likelihood of meeting and falling for a hot, grumpy billionairelikeRexwhenIfirstmovedtoNewYorkCityfrommysmalltownwasprobablyslimtonone.Butherewewere,in loveandengaged whatawhirlwind.
Mymotherraisedmebetter.Ideservedmorethanthat,soIturnedhimdownflat.Helearnedquicklymoneycouldn’tbuy his happiness withme. Christmas Eve, whenhe landed onmydoorstep backinHollyCreekinthe middle ofa storm, very unexpectedly,hegroveled real goodandItookhimback.
We’dbeentogethereverydaysince
Ishould have said we needed to waita year or two to getmarried after he proposed Valentine’s Day, justso we could linger inthis stateofbliss alittlelonger as boyfriendandgirlfriend ButRexwantedmeas his wifeimmediately,andwell, whenhewantedsomething…hewasahardmantodissuade.
Aslongaswecouldsurvivethisweddingplanning,evenifit’sfarfromtheideal weddingI’dalwayspictured,we’dbe fine.LikeRexkeptwhisperinginmyearashemadelovetomethismorningafterourlittlespatoverhismotherandostrich feathers: “I don’t care what it takes for us to plan this wedding, as long as you say I do and become mine for life. My wife.”
“Ithoughtyouwerenapping.”Asmileonmylipsmetwithhisandwelingeredthereinsweetkisseswiththeoceanwaves crawlingupthe sandsoundingoutour love ballad Withmyentire heartandsoul,Iknew Rexwas myperson The wedding planningorhismomhadbetternotruinthis.
“AndhereIwassureyouhadsexythoughtsplayingaroundinthatbeautifulheadofyours.”Hishandsskimmeddownmy body, squeezingmyass, and his lips brushed downmyneck Veryeffective he caused everynerve endinginmybodyto tingle.
“Idonow”Imoaned Itdidn’tmatterwe’dbeenpleasingeachother’sbodiestwiceadaysincearrivingontheisland I wantedmore.
“Idon’twanttotalkhereaboutit,”shemumbled,ignoringthefoodandreachingfortheglass Shedowneditintwogulps Rex was oblivious, as men often were, and yammered on and on about the yacht and our trip home later today, while Brooksremainedquietwithcrossedarms,noteatingordrinkingatall.
Definitely trouble in paradise for them, I sensed But then, I had warned Maisy, hadn’t I? With her graduating from ColumbiainMay,andleavingimmediatelyforoneyeartoworkasaresearcherwithascienceteamontheScientificFleetof OceanicEnterprises aplumassignmentcruisingintheSouthernHemisphereastheresearchassistanttooneofherprofessors shedidn’thavetimeforarelationship.
Or was Maisy upset about something else? She and Brooks couldn't thaw the coldness between themeven amidst this sunshineandsaltyseaair.IalmosthatedshowingoffmyhappinesswithRexwhensheappearedsomiserable.
THE GOOD GIRL
BACK IN NEW YORK CITY, Iimmersed myselfinmydayjob atthe TVstation, preparingfor mynextlive segmentfeaturing edibleflowersandhowtoincorporatethemintoyoureverydaycooking
“Have a seat,” India said, gesturing to a lemony yellow leather chair. All traces of Stanley were gone, including his awesomecollectionofblackandwhitephotosofcelebritiesfromyearsgoneby.She’dinfusedtheofficewithalookthatone couldonlydescribeasacitrusflareinshadesofyellowandorangeeverywhere Butgivenmostdaysaroundthemorningshow beganatthreeinthemorning,itprobablyhelpedwakeherupthemomentshesteppedfoothere.
“How goes the wedding plans?” She opened with that, but I sensed there was more India always seemed to have somethingmullingaroundherbrain,butthatprobablymadeheradecentproducer.
“Infact,howwouldyoufeelabouthavingtheviewershelpyouselectsomeofyourweddingdayplans?Wecouldsetupa weeklyonline poll. Oh, the viewers would go crazyaboutsomethinglike this. Icould see plentyofaccolades and awards comingourwayatnextyear’sCityTelevisionAwards.”
India stared offinto the distance as ifenvisioningherself onstage givingher acceptance speech After Stanleyleft, the single,petiteproducertookchargeandgotourprogramminginshapewithsweepingchanges,earningherselfareputationasa spitfirearoundhere,andsomerespect,butunderthesurfaceIalwaysknewtherewassomethingelseaboutherIcouldn’tput myfingeron.
Isnappedoutofit,tryingtobeastactfulasIcould.“Um.India.Whilethisisintriguing,honestly,theweddingplanninghas been howshouldIputit?Overwhelming Myfiancé’sfamilyisratherwelltodoand ”
“It’sjustbeenalot,andIdon’tknowifIcouldhandleonemorethingonmyplaterightnow”Iappearedthreetimesper weeklive onthe show as itwas, plus sixstandalone pre-recorded seasonal specials dotted the productioncalendar for the year.
“Listen,it’llbefunandnobigdeal Youcanhandleit,andIhavefullfaithinyoutopullthisoff,”shesaid “India, while I appreciate your idea, I don’t even know if my fiancé would want our wedding day plans broadcast to everyone”
Aweekaftervacationitbecameclear:Miriamwasthedefinitionofobsessed,completewiththethickweddingplanning notebookshe now carriedwithher everywhere like itwas a new appendage.Her life missionwas assuringher sonhadthe mostperfectdayever,whileIwasthebrideshekeptwaytoobusy,asifgivingmenotimetoeventhinkaboutbackingoutof thisextravagantaffair.
He moved over, helpingme onto the barstool next to him, while his words traveled downmygoose-pimpled skinand lodgedrightbetweenmylegs.HishandsettledontomythighandIlacedfingerswithhim.MiriamhadnoideaIsatwithmy thighssqueezedtogetherbecauseofhersexysonandthoughtsofhowhe’dmakethisuptomelater.
COCOA VS. COCKTAILS
“SO, A WEDDING COCKTAIL?WHY?”Iinquired,lettingmystressovertakemyusualfilter.
“It’s all the rage right now, havinga signature drinkthe bride and groomespeciallypickto go alongwiththe wedding theme,”Miriamaddeda Tsk andspokethissomatter-of-factasifsomebridal magazinewouldshamemefor notkeepingup withthelatestnuptialtrends.
“RexandIkneweachotherincollege.”Shecutmeoffandfilledmein.“Wesurehadalotoffunbackthen,didn’twe?” Themodel-likebrunettebeautytossedherhairandgushedtoRexinanasaltonethatmadeherpassforaKardashian Thetall one.“Weshouldgetour oldColumbiagangbacktogether for dinner anddrinks onenight.I’dlovetoseeyou,andeveryone else,ofcourse.”
Miriamharrumphed Immediately, I sized Jenna up and realized I wasn’t a fan, either Finally, somethingMiriamand I couldagreeuponwhole-heartedly.
AtleastIcountedmyselfluckytohavemadeitontoMiriam’slistofapprovedcandidatestomarryherson,especiallyafter hearing her go on and on over lunch with Agnes one day about how poor Richard’s ex-fiancé was such an awful disappointment
“Itryeverysingledaynottothinkaboutanotherman’shandsonyouorasmalltownguyfromyourpastcomingbackinto your life and stealingyouawayfromme,” he admitted “We bothhad lives before, butwe belongto eachother now Let’s leavethepastinthepast,shallwe?”
His words wouldn’terase the little spectacle Imade ofmyself “I’mgoingtosee Maisy” Iwrangledfromhis arms and hailedacab.
“No, I need to see her without you. I need my sister. So go back in there and drink with your mom and wink at the barmaid.”Ihuffedandturnedawayfromhim,buthebroughtmyarmandmebackaround.
Suddenly, everythingwas spinningoutofcontrol and Iswayed as his car and driver pulled up nextto us Irealized I’d hardlyeatenall daybetweenwork, India, stress and now this. He opened the door, usheringme quicklyin. Once we were insidethevehicle,RextoldthedrivertogotoMaisy’s,thenclosedthewindowbetweenusandhim
He liftedmychinandsaid,“Idon’tcare how manymenlookbecause Ihave somethingtheydon’t You’re mine You’re abouttobemywife,andI’mtheonlymanwhocantouchyou.”
Our lips connected ina sweetkiss, onlywe didn’tstop there The heatofour briefargumentfueled more, and a minute later,Ilandedontopofhim,straddlinghim.Hisfingersworkedupmydress,betweenmythighs,feelingmethroughmywet panties Myskinwarmedtohistouch Themanknewexactlyhowtogetmesohot
